Townsend man arrested on arson charges

The State Fire Marshal's office says a man has been arrested on arson charges after a Saturday afternoon house fire that caused about $40,000 worth of damage.

It happened around 12:30 p.m. on the unit block of Cole Road in the Meadow Vista neighborhood, where firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the residence.

State Fire Marshal deputies later conducted an investigation and determined the blaze originated from inside the house and started from an open flame that was intentionally set.

Deputies then arrested 24-year-old Dejuan Saunders, a resident of the house, on 2nd degree arson charges. Bail and commitment status are unknown as the department says he's awaiting arraignment on separate charges by the Wilmington police department.

No injuries have been reported from the fire, but a resident of the house is being assisted by the Red Cross of Delmarva.